Your guide to obtaining Portuguese citizenship by descent in Canada
This guide explains how to obtain Portuguese citizenship in Canada and how Wise can help with cross currency requirements
Your guide to obtaining German citizenship by descent in Canada
Are you applying for German citizenship by descent? You’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide walks you through applying for German citizenship from Canada. We’ll cover who qualifies, required documents, and eligibility.
We’ll also break down application steps, fees, and dual citizenship rules. Plus, we’ll highlight how Wise can help you manage international payments efficiently and affordably during this exciting time!
Who Qualifies for German Citizenship by Descent in Canada?
You may qualify for German citizenship by descent if you were born to a German citizen, no matter where. However, eligibility depends on your parents’ citizenship status when you were born and whether they were legally married.
German Citizenship Through Parentage
- You were born after January 1, 1975, to a German mother or father.1
- You were born before July 1, 1993, to a German father, and your parents were married at the time.1
- You were born before January 1, 1975, to an unmarried German mother.1
- Your birth was officially registered with German authorities within the required timeframe - based on your birth year1
- You did not acquire another nationality before 2000 without obtaining permission to retain your German citizenship.1
Recent Legal Changes (StARModG Amendments)
On June 27, 2024, Germany reformed its nationality laws with the Act to Modernise Nationality Law or StARModG. These changes expanded access to German citizenship and simplified dual nationality rules. The key updates include:
- Applicants can now obtain German citizenship without renouncing their current nationality, even where this wasn’t possible before.
- German citizens can acquire foreign citizenship without losing their German status. There’s no longer a need to apply for a Beibehaltungsgenehmigung — permission to retain citizenship.
- Children born in Germany to non-German parents are no longer required to choose between nationalities.2
- The naturalisation period has been shortened from eight to five years of legal residence in Germany.2
These changes apply only from the date the Act came into force and do not apply retroactively.2
What Documents Do You Need for a Citizenship Application?
There are several documents required when applying for German citizenship.
Basic Requirements
- Completed and signed application form
- Biometric passport picture
- Last German passport or other German ID (if applicable)
- Valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card, valid visa, or Canadian passport
- Birth certificate
- Birth certificate of a German parent
- German certificate of nationality or German passports of your German parent/s issued before and after the time of your birth
- Current valid passports of both your parents
- Prepaid envelope
- Signed Notice on the use of mail services
Documents in English or French must be translated into German.
Example of Required Documents by Citizenship Route
| Citizenship Route | Required Documents | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| By Descent (post-1975) |
| |
| By Descent (pre-1975 via mother) |
| If you were born before January 1, 1975, to married parents, you could acquire German citizenship at birth only if your father was a German citizen. If only your mother was German, you might be eligible to apply for citizenship by declaration. \ |
| Restored Rights (Nazi persecution, colonial history) |
| This naturalization route is for former German citizens who lost citizenship under the Nazi regime due to political, racial, or religious persecution and who now live abroad. \ The same applies to their children, if they had become German had their parent(s) not lost their German citizenship. 4 |
Dual Citizenship: Can You Keep Your Canadian Citizenship?
Germany generally avoids dual citizenship. German citizens usually must renounce other citizenships and may lose German citizenship if they acquire another. Exceptions include:
- Dual Citizenship by Birth
Children born abroad after January 1, 2000, to German parents also born abroad must have their birth registered with a German consulate before their first birthday to obtain German citizenship.
- Permission to Retain Citizenship - until June 27, 2024
German citizens acquiring another nationality could keep their German citizenship if they received prior official approval.8
- Naturalization with Dual Citizenship Allowed
Exceptions apply if the applicant is a citizen of an EU member state, Switzerland, or under other specific circumstances.7
How to Apply for German Citizenship by Descent from Canada
Step-by-Step Application Process
- First, confirm your eligibility based on descent or restored rights.
- Acquire the required documents and have them translated/notarized as needed.
- Complete the appropriate application form from the German consulate.
- Schedule an appointment at a German mission in Canada.
- Submit your application in person and pay the fees.
Where to Apply in Canada
You must apply through a German consulate with jurisdiction over your residence. To book an appointment at the German Consulate General in Vancouver, visit the official German Missions in Canada website. If you can’t book online, contact the consulate by phone for help.
- Toronto – Covers Ontario, Manitoba
- Vancouver – Covers British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon
- Montreal – Covers Quebec, Atlantic provinces, and Ottawa
Fees, Processing Time, and Dual Citizenship Considerations
Estimated Costs in CAD
| Item | Approximate Cost CAD |
|---|---|
| Citizenship application fee | $395.00 |
| Translations and notarization | From $70.00 |
| Document mailing to Germany | $7.00 |
| International money order fee | Typically between $7.50 to $9.95 |
Using Wise for German Citizenship Payments
International payments don’t have to be a hassle thanks to Wise, which offers a straightforward, secure, and cost-effective solution.
Wise is a trusted international money transfer service that makes sending money across borders faster, easier, and much more affordable. Wise lets you send euros directly to official German government accounts while avoiding hidden fees and poor exchange rates.
The easy-to-use Wise app lets you track payments in real time, giving you full visibility and peace of mind.
How Wise Supports Your German Citizenship Process
German authorities require that application fees and related charges be paid in euros. Wise helps:
- Transfer funds quickly from Canada to Germany without delays
- Meet important deadlines for document submissions or appointment scheduling
- Save big on international banking fees
- Ensure accuracy, as Wise lets you input the recipient’s IBAN and payment reference details directly.
Wise streamlines your path to German citizenship!
People Also Ask – FAQs on German Citizenship by Descent
Q: Can Canadians get German citizenship by descent?
A: Yes, Canadians can obtain German citizenship by descent, primarily through a German parent or grandparent.
Q: How long does the application process take? A: 18 months to two to three years
Q: Do I need to speak German to apply?
A: Not if you’re applying by descent. Language requirements apply to naturalization, not descent-based claims.
Q: Will my children automatically become German citizens too?
Whether your children automatically acquire German citizenship depends on your situation. Generally, citizenship is inherited by descent. If you are a German citizen, your children may be eligible depending on their birth date, your citizenship status at their birth, and whether the birth was properly registered.
Conclusion
Obtaining German citizenship by descent gains the right to live, work, and travel freely across the EU. Holding dual Canadian and German citizenship can open up endless opportunities without losing your Canadian nationality. While the application process can be lengthy, the benefits are worth it. To simplify the process, consider Wise. It’s fast, transparent, and cost-effective, saving you from bank fees and poor exchange rates. Sign up today!
Sources:
- Establishing German citizenship - Federal Foreign Office
- Law on Nationality - Federal Foreign Office
- Information Sheet for Passport Application (Adults) First Time Application
- Restoration of citizenship for former Germans deprived of their citizenship by the nationalsocialist regime - Federal Foreign Office
- Establishing German citizenship - Federal Foreign Office
- German Government — Naturalisation in Germany
- Dual/multiple citizenship(s) - Federal Foreign Office
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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